Ingestion of foreign objects by fish

[ss88]

Hello,
In the past, 5+ years ago I have lost fish with the ingestion of foreign non organic objects. Filter material mainly, found through necropsy, sometimes 795 silicone on large displays. Normally fish where in the display tank and abnormal behavior was sometime missed.

Now I have a ~ 8" Pomacanthus angelfish in quarantine that has developed a interest in eating algae off of black silicone. I have witnessed large and small strings of silicon completely removed from the glass by this fish, presumably ingesting small pieces of silicone in the process. I would estimate in the size range of 1mm dia and 2 to 5 mm long. Nothing visibly noted in specimen feces as of yet.

Have noted the following symptoms over the last week.
1) Slightly decreased interest in prepared foods. However is readily consuming algae in the aquarium.
2) No change in abdominal size when with holding food.
3) Appears to still be experiencing regular bowel movements.

So this brings me to my series of questions.

1) What are the typical symptoms to present with a foreign object intestinal blockage? Behavior changes? Pathology? Typical time frame from onset of symptoms to death?
2) Are their any diagnostic procedures, x-ray or ultrasound?
3) Are there any known treatment options available in the event of a positive diagnoses? Seems like an appropriate instrument under sedation and with use of guided radiography. https://vetovation.com/product/long-jaw-grasping-forceps/ or https://bossinstruments.com/product/alligator-cup-forceps-2mm-cup-200mm-str/. Considering the high level of risk associated with such a procedure, I would absolutely need a positive diagnostic test.
4) What part of the digestive organ track is most likely to not pass the foreign object? When I have preformed necropsies in the past, the foreign object was in the stomach.
5) Best options for preventing this behavior. Considering modification to the aquarium by the addition of 1/4" acrylic to each silicone joint on the inside of the aquarium? Use of acrylic aquariums?

Certainly feeling somewhat deflated on this one, purpose built Aqueon aquarium having the potential to kill livestock. Anyone else experience a similar issue?

 

[TheDragonsReef]

Unfortunately i cant answer any of your medical questions but im surprised to hear hes able to pull silicone off the glass. Its usually adheared pretty well, and ive only ever seen urchins pull it off. In the meantime i would add a sheet of torn up nori or dried seaweed to graze on since hes so interested in the algae. And since hes in qt so you can also use an algaecide to eliminate the algae so he stops going after the seams. Good luck

 

[Malcontent]

I kept an uncommon bird for years that ate inappropriate things--his own shed feathers and even plastic film. His dietary requirements weren't being met by commercial food and once I started supplementing with sulfur-containing amino acids the problem resolved.

 

[Breadman03]

Some aquariums are built with armored seams, basically just small strips of glass (or maybe other materials, IDK), that are adhered to the inside of the tank corners. It gives protects the seams and leaves practically no silicone exposed.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Marine Veteranarian would do xrays

Symptoms would be loss of appetite, abdominal distention or pinched stomach. Also stringy white poop and swimming at the surface and gasping for air. You can give fish Peas that are boiled and cooled and offering the inner meat relieving constipation. Seachem Metroplex added to food will help with internal issues

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hello,
In the past, 5+ years ago I have lost fish with the ingestion of foreign non organic objects. Filter material mainly, found through necropsy, sometimes 795 silicone on large displays. Normally fish where in the display tank and abnormal behavior was sometime missed.

Now I have a ~ 8" Pomacanthus angelfish in quarantine that has developed a interest in eating algae off of black silicone. I have witnessed large and small strings of silicon completely removed from the glass by this fish, presumably ingesting small pieces of silicone in the process. I would estimate in the size range of 1mm dia and 2 to 5 mm long. Nothing visibly noted in specimen feces as of yet.

Have noted the following symptoms over the last week.
1) Slightly decreased interest in prepared foods. However is readily consuming algae in the aquarium.
2) No change in abdominal size when with holding food.
3) Appears to still be experiencing regular bowel movements.

So this brings me to my series of questions.

1) What are the typical symptoms to present with a foreign object intestinal blockage? Behavior changes? Pathology? Typical time frame from onset of symptoms to death?
2) Are their any diagnostic procedures, x-ray or ultrasound?
3) Are there any known treatment options available in the event of a positive diagnoses? Seems like an appropriate instrument under sedation and with use of guided radiography. https://vetovation.com/product/long-jaw-grasping-forceps/ or https://bossinstruments.com/product/alligator-cup-forceps-2mm-cup-200mm-str/. Considering the high level of risk associated with such a procedure, I would absolutely need a positive diagnostic test.
4) What part of the digestive organ track is most likely to not pass the foreign object? When I have preformed necropsies in the past, the foreign object was in the stomach.
5) Best options for preventing this behavior. Considering modification to the aquarium by the addition of 1/4" acrylic to each silicone joint on the inside of the aquarium? Use of acrylic aquariums?

Certainly feeling somewhat deflated on this one, purpose built Aqueon aquarium having the potential to kill livestock. Anyone else experience a similar issue?

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I’ve not seen much of this recently, but I have seen big pomacanthids eat fake rubber gorgonians. We lost some to that issue. I’ve had issues with electric eels swallowing substrate.I’ve also seen smaller fish expelling filter floss in their feces.

I don’t think these materials would be radio opaque - they might show on ultrasound at the point of impaction though.

Jay

 

[ss88]

Is magnesium citrate toxic to aquatic life if administered orally?

 

[ss88]

Jay, I assumed as much about the x-ray.

 

[ss88]

but I have seen big pomacanthids eat fake rubber gorgonians. We lost some to that issue

suspected timeframe from ingestion to symptoms to death?

 

[ss88]

Any experience using

mineral oil
natural vegetable laxatives

was considering binding into a gelatin fish food

 

[Jay Hemdal]

suspected timeframe from ingestion to symptoms to death?

Sorry - that was 40 years ago, and I don't think we had any sense of when the issue started versus when we lost fish.

Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Is magnesium citrate toxic to aquatic life if administered orally?

Doesn't magnesium sulfate have some purgative effect? The oral dose for that is 3% by weight in food.

Jay

 

[jmichaelh7]

Do the fish have a psychiatric diagnosis of pica ?

Ingestion of foreign objects of fish… interesting

 

[ss88]

Doesn't magnesium sulfate have some purgative effect? The oral dose for that is 3% by weight in food.

Jay

Hi Jay,
Dosage is based on estimated weight of specimen?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi Jay,
Dosage is based on estimated weight of specimen?

No, that is one of the few food medications that is dosed by weight of food, not the weight of the fish. So - 3grams Epsom salts in 97 grams of gel diet.
Bear in mind that the intended use for this is to expel parasites….
Jay

 

[ss88]

No, that is one of the few food medications that is dosed by weight of food, not the weight of the fish. So - 3grams Epsom salts in 97 grams of gel diet.
Bear in mind that the intended use for this is to expel parasites….
Jay

Thank you for the clarification.